Chamwe Kaira
Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower) and Angola’s Rede Nacional de Transporte de Electricidade have signed agreements for the Angola-Namibia Power Interconnector Project (ANNA), valued at N$941 million.
The project is expected to be completed by 2029.
The two utilities on Tuesday signed a joint development agreement and a power purchase agreement. These set out how the project will be built, managed and operated.
The project was approved by Cabinet in February as part of national energy plans with funding of about N$4 billion allocated to support NamPower’s capital contribution.
The funding will cover the engineering, procurement and construction of infrastructure from Cahama in Angola to the Kunene region in Namibia, including network upgrades within Namibian borders.
Namibia and Angola also signed an intergovernmental agreement to support cooperation.
The interconnector forms part of NamPower’s strategy for 2026 to 2030 and aligns with the national energy plan. Funding for Namibia’s share will come through the National Energy Fund.
The project will include a 166-kilometre transmission line linking the Kunene substation in Namibia to the Cahama substation in Angola. About 30 kilometres of the line will be built in Namibia.
Work will also include new equipment at the Kunene substation. This includes feeder bays, a transformer and a static var compensator.
A second 270-kilometre transmission line between Omatando and Otjikoto will also be built to support the interconnector.
The project will create a power link between the two countries and connect Angola to the Southern African Power Pool.
NamPower managing director Kahenge Haulofu said the agreements show strong cooperation between the two countries.
He said the project supports energy security and economic growth in the region.
“The ANNA Project creates an opportunity to optimise and share our respective energy resources more effectively, thereby supporting the evolving needs of the Southern African Power Pool and contributing to regional energy security,” he said.
Namibia’s minister of industries, mines and energy, Modestus Amutse said the signing represents a significant milestone in advancing energy security and regional integration between the two countries.
He noted that the project is aimed at strengthening cooperation in the energy sector while promoting sustainable development and economic growth.
“The ANNA project is not merely a transmission line; it is a strategic instrument that will connect our economies, strengthen our institutions, and improve the lives of our people,” Amutse said.
Amutse said the interconnector will also support Namibia’s efforts to diversify its energy mix and reduce supply risks while creating opportunities for Angola to export its surplus electricity, particularly from renewable and hydro sources.
“As a country with growing energy demand, securing reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity supply remains a national priority,” he said.
He added that the project reflects strong bilateral relations between Namibia and Angola, built on shared goals of energy security, economic development and regional cooperation.
Amutse said the next phase will be the formal groundbreaking by the heads of state of both countries, signalling the start of implementation. He urged all parties involved to maintain momentum and ensure the project is delivered on time.
He also stressed that regional energy cooperation is critical for addressing shared challenges such as energy shortages, economic growth and climate resilience within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
NamPower and RNT-EP conducted feasibility studies, including technical, economic, financial, and environmental assessments, confirming the project’s viability and readiness for implementation.
The signing of the agreements marks the transition to the next phase, which includes contracting construction works, supervision and the eventual commissioning of the interconnector for commercial operation.
The project builds on cooperation between Namibia and Angola dating back to 2018 under the Southern African Power Pool framework, which promotes regional electricity sharing and integration.
Implementation of the ANNA Project will be supported by Angola’s Huíla–Cunene Interconnection Project, which aims to strengthen transmission infrastructure in southern Angola and expand electricity access in areas such as Xangongo and Ondjiva.
Caption
Namibia and Angola have signed the Angola-Namibia Power Interconnector Project (ANNA), scheduled for completion in 2029.
- Photo: NamPower
